by Robert Wilkinson
This week things cut loose in a big way due to the Full Moon of Taurus-Scorpio, a.k.a. the Wesak Festival, now in full force. We're finalizing some heavy aspects (for the time being!) while already being offered opportunities to demonstrate compassion in ways unique to our situations. What Mercury has heralded this past week, the Sun will vitalize this next week, so I suppose we can surmise that it's time to rock and roll!
T-squares often get "a bad rap," and may be one of the least understood configurations of power in all of astrology. This week we start with Mercury finishing up its recent T-square with Saturn opposition Neptune, throwing energies into Scorpio, showing it's been a mental purification time, as well as a splendid time to shift magnetism, repelling certain things while getting focused on attracting whatever solidifies the initial assets, resources or values that will support our next outreach. That has meant a shift in perception, or how we coordinate our affairs. What we've seen, understood, or been told recently (from inner or outer voices) will be vitalized this week when the Sun tracks Mercury's path through Taurus making its own T-square.
This T-square will burst things wide open, as the Sun tends to do just that with everything it illuminates. And of course, being harmonious with Uranus, it's a good time to renovate, revolutionize things, and generally go for the unique, unusual, or innovative. The Sun squares show we're opening the Neptune cycle of 2007 in a big way, while fulfilling the old Saturn cycle started Summer 2006.
Expect major decisions breaking old deadlocks, ambivalence, or procrastination. It's a great time for accepting greater responsibilities and duties and leaving lesser concerns behind. We can achieve clarity around roles we want to play, overcoming any lingering hesitation around doing what we have to in order to make some new way of being real.
This week should solidify (Taurus!) many things, even as we KNOW we've turned a big corner somehow, though it may be tough to exactly describe some of what's happened or happening. It's reverse magnetism time! We've seen what's been jamming our gears in our relationships, and were able to see what we needed to end so that we can get results that we want. Due to the exact Jupiter square Uranus and Mars square Pluto we've also had a sensation like something very BIG is coming. Welcome to the week!
These squares show us what we should not take for granted, and how to be alert to shifting developments that could turn a different direction on a moment's notice. Any time we're confronted with squares and oppositions we are shown ways to reorient and understand how to find the balance where needed and turn the corner in crucial areas, since squares are either the emergence of something (waxing square) or the fulfillment and culmination of a process (waning square), while oppositions bring forth awareness. These times are not necessarily great for launching new things, but they can be great at moving things forward that have already been planned in the past.
Though squares are usually associated with difficulty, I believe they can mark important points where we shift direction in ways appropriate to who we really are, breaking free of old ideas about who we used to be. The aspects working on everyone at preset can also show things spinning out of control fairly quickly, so be thoughtful as Mars implements the dream we embraced back during the transits of 30 Pisces. I described this "dreaming the future archetype" in this article where each year our thoughtforms take on extra power to take up the new and let go of the old.
Jupiter square Uranus around 18-19 Mutable requires us to pay attention to details and be able to multi-task by ordering things into their appropriate place in the larger scheme of things. You can find out more about the Jupiter square Uranus and Saturn opposed Neptune by going to this link.
The Saturn opposition Neptune, as noted for many months, is behind the tension of the gap between the ideal and the reality, the theoretical and the practical. Continue not allowing nerves, temperament, or unexpected diversions to cause sideways explosions result in messing up perfectly good opportunities. Get oriented, get your drive in gear, open your vision and understanding, and be compassionate while bringing closure to old life movies.
We still are dealing with the long term effects of the multiple eclipses of last September and this past March which you can find more about by consulting the forecast for three weeks ago. Since these are long range indicators of major change in collective consciousness and challenges to confront, I'll be reworking these articles in the near future in ways that make the information more accessible.
As explained in recent weeks, Venus is heralding things to come since it is closing the gap between Saturn and the other planets, creating a Locomotive pattern where all the planets are now in 2/3 of the signs. Though Venus opposition Pluto is done May 6th, it's still hot for a few days, so watch out for bizarre types, who could be geniuses but also have some extremely strange ideas and values. With the Moon transiting Capricorn through Taurus this week, the Locomotive is emphasized, so expect imbalances that can lead to power if you know how to "fill the empty spot" to achieve balance and perfect rhythmic response to forward movement.
Saturn is no longer the nozzle for the other planetary energies as it has been for months, but it will be one of the brackets, along with Pluto, framing the Locomotive pattern that will predominate for many months to come. I'll explain the difference between the Bucket and Seesaw patterns we've been living with for awhile and the coming Locomotive pattern and its lunar variances in the near future.
While Mars is still in Pisces, we're "floating on a sea of Pisces," since we've had a Mars-Uranus-NN conjunction there. Mars is now triggering the recent Pisces energies, so please go to those articles to understand why we're all leaving old realities behind now. This week Mars finishes its square to Pluto, ending its stay in Pisces and getting ready to jumpstart a LOT when it enters Aries on May 15th at 7:06 am PDT.
The week begins with the Moon in Capricorn. As I noted last week about this weekend leading up to the coming week:
The Moon enters Capricorn on May 6 at 2:21 am PDT and makes some very favorable lunar aspects through May 8, when it enters Aquarius 10:48 am PDT. As noted in a previous paragraph, when it sextiles Uranus on May 7-8, it makes a very important Yod, or Finger of God, with Saturn as the nozzle (rather than Uranus, which occurs when the Moon transits Libra.) Express your individuality in ways that help you and others let go of old "social rigidities," and make whatever adjustments you need to create joyous interactions to make life freer and happier.
However, the larger picture during this week into next is determined by the major aspects. Jupiter finishes its last fire trine to Saturn on May 6, just before Venus opposes Pluto. This period also shows Mercury squaring Neptune until May 7. Mercury's aspects between May 4-7 are heralding the Sun's identical aspects to follow between May 8, when it trines Uranus, through its squares to Saturn and Neptune between May 8-13. This will illuminate the information we're getting through next weekend.
All in all, take advantage of the favorable aspects this week to get oriented, since there will be lots of activity the following week due to the Solar T-square and Jupiter exactly square Uranus culminating May 10-11, though of course it's very volatile for at least a week or so to either side of the exact point. This week continue to break up resistances, adapt as needed, and keep things moving forward simply, steadily, and enjoyably. We're finishing up many things while opening to other more exciting activities that will accelerate once Mars enters Aries in a couple of weeks.
Yod configurations will be activated in May and June when the Moon transits 18-19 degrees of Libra or Capricorn. This configuration involves multiple sacrifices leading to spiritual expansions through a narrowing of focus. This can help us understand the larger sacrifices and adjustments required by the on-going Saturn quincunx Uranus.
On Monday, Mercury's square to Neptune is exact, so continue to be clear about the role you're playing, don't allow yourself to be put down, underestimated, or taken for granted, and indulge in NO self-deprecation. Give voice to vague or unclear things while staying clear about the various stages of development in what calls your attention. The sextiles to Uranus can help us express our genius or originality in grounded ways and be inventive in our outlook and interpretations, helping us break free from unhelpful mental patterns and ways of living.
The Moon enters Aquarius at 10:48 am PDT on May 8, just after Venus enters Cancer about 10 hours earlier, and just before the Sun sextile Uranus and Mercury sextile Mars. This of course means Mercury is going to quincunx Pluto, so make adjustments to get balanced and find productivity in playing good defense, feeling what you really care about, and join with others who share your ideals.
The Moon opposes Saturn, squares the Sun, and conjuncts Neptune during its stay in Aquarius, triggering the T-square AND the Grand Irrationality. Remember that any time the Moon goes through a Fixed sign (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) we have major effects related to the ongoing Saturn opposition Neptune challenging "right action" on our part. The opposition was exact from mid-February through mid-March 2007, persists through the next few weeks, and will be exact from late May through mid-July 2007. Every time the Moon triggers this effect, it reminds us of the strength we've received as a result of breaking up old patterns the past 18 months.
These T-squares are highly active now due to the Taurus transits, creating reverberations related to past Fixed squares and crosses from 2005 and 2006. I've explained in prior articles that these squares and crosses:
... for the most part 1) broke some things up forever, 2) challenged us see what to clear out, 3) made us evaluate what to "put on the shelf for the future," and 4) opened up solid paths of personal, social, and spiritual development associated with things, heart, magnetism, ambition, and idealism. We were all challenged to one or more of the following: persevere despite difficulties, cut our losses when blocked by intransigent obstructionists, stabilize what which was unstable, or break apart that which was stuck in the mud.
Any square to the Saturn opposition Neptune shows us how to release important Fire energies through Saturn, offering us a chance to transcend old limitations and generate new heart power and brought important questions to the forefront for all of us. What is our message? Where is our heart's interest? Where is our play, our creativity, our enthusiasm, our spontaneity, our pleasure? These can show us the way to our higher purpose.
Besides the T-squares, we're also learning how to manage The Grand Irrationality, showing major forks in the road for all. This is the first point where the Moon renews this weird, irrational energy after its conjunction with Pluto at the Galactic Center, further nurturing the seeds of major large scale change indicated by this 250-year cycle affecting everyone on Earth. Jupiter is helping the growth of these seeds throughout 2007, so every time the Moon goes through Sag we should see these positive seeds get larger and stronger in our lives.
As noted in other articles,
The Grand Irrationality is why everything feels much weirder than it used to, with hard edges and widespread irrational and/or compulsive behaviors more and more evident. Sometimes these energies grow stronger than at other times, depending on where the planets are. The link to The Grand Irrationality will explain more about this widespread long term influence in depth, along with internal links in that article that explain more about the larger field and what we can do to maneuver it successfully.
Right now the hot zones of The Grand Irrationality fall at approximately 27 Sagittarius-1 Capricorn, 20-25 Aquarius, 11-14 Aries, 2-7 Gemini, 24-27 Cancer, 15-19 Virgo, and 6-10 Scorpio at this time in history. This pattern is setting up the generally strange atmosphere, a lot of compulsions coming to surface as well as forks in the road of our destiny in several areas of life, and overall one long hard edge of choices, changes, and a future that never is quite as logical as we may like.
In dealing with the generic weirdness, remember that even if things get very bizarre or irrational, we are not powerless. Even if destiny is "on the move," we still can steer the process to some degree, if we don't lose our cool in the midst of the great weirdness. We’re learning in these strange times not to lean too heavily on "things making sense," and how to fly by the seat of our pants, not going funky places we shouldn't, and making choices that will propel us into an evolving future that may not make much sense but is perfect for the uniqueness we are.
Every time the Moon triggers the Grand Irrationality we experience a form of a turning point of sorts, where the seeds of the future will stand revealed. Besides May 5-6 when it moves through the Sag zone and May 9-10 when it conjuncts Neptune in Aquarius, the Grand Irrationality will be activated May 13 when it transits Aries, certain to be volatile due to the Mars square Pluto also happening.
Mercury is in the Gemini zone May 11-13, the Sun is there May 22-26, these quickly followed by Venus in the Cancer zone and Mars in the Aries zone. This will create full 7 pointed Star patterns when the Moon is in Scorpio, as the transiting Angles will occupy the Gemini and Virgo zones four times a day, with the aspects exact in some places on Earth. I'll write more about this very important configuration in the near future.
The Moon enters Pisces 4:32 pm PDT on May 10, showing harmony with Venus but triggering the Jupiter square Uranus, showing it's a good time to bring things to closure, pay attention to intuitions, and let go of feeling weird. All in all, some very good aspects made to the Sun and then Mercury, so it should be productive even if things seem somewhat surrealistic. Do your gardening planting or transplanting for quick completion of growth.
The Moon enters Aries on May 12 at 7:19 pm PDT, meaning May 13 everywhere east of Iceland. This is said to be a good sign for treating garden pests, so do what you are inclined to do. It makes some great aspects in Aries at this time in history, so a lot can be accomplished. Of course, as noted it moves through the zone of the Grand Irrationality as well, just before it triggers the Grand Fire Trine May 13-14, bringing renewed focus on whatever initiatives we've begun under those influences these past two months.
The Moon enters Taurus on May 14 at 7:48 pm PDT, so it's fairly fast in motion, showing we'll be experiencing things faster than we usually do. Also, over May 13-15 Mars is in the final degree of Pisces, so do your dreaming as you watch the Autumn 2006 and Spring 2007 Eclipses kick into major motion. This is a point of no return, so say goodbye to the old and greet the new already in motion like an express train!
The recent Wesak Festival is opening us all to our unique way of receiving and expressing a form of compassion. Keep learning discernment, detachment, dispassion, and generate as much goodwill as you can as you surf your way through the squares. We're all preparing to turn a major corner or two that will reorient important life sectors after Venus enters Cancer May 8. This is the time we've been waiting for, so it's full speed ahead on what's been set into motion in the past.
© Copyright 2007 Robert Wilkinson
this doesnt look like good time for negotiations either with a square to Mercury the communication planet ....
On Monday, Mercury's square to Neptune is exact, so continue to be clear about the role you're playing, don't allow yourself to be put down, underestimated, or taken for granted, and indulge in NO self-deprecation.
Posted by: suz-d | May 05, 2007 at 12:19 PM
sorry, this is out of context, the other email I wanted to send somehow got lost. I'll go find it..!
Posted by: suz-d | May 05, 2007 at 12:20 PM
----These times are not necessarily great for launching new things, but they can be great at moving things forward that have already been planned in the past.
---be alert to shifting developments that could turn a different direction on a moment's notice
---This T-square will burst things wide open
---Expect major decisions breaking old deadlocks, ambivalence, or procrastination.
--- We can achieve clarity around roles we want to play
hi Robert, this email should have come first!
my birthday in May 9, and my moon is in Cap, "The Moon enters Capricorn on May 6 at 2:21 am PDT and makes some very favorable lunar aspects"
I've been working with a film producer for the past 7 yrs, who had done next to nothing for the film to get the start up funds. now she finally has them. she's a difficult type to work with, a power-manipulator, and other members of the team are not smitten with her style.... still she can get the money.
I feel between a rock and a hard place with this, as its a very big decision to have her on the team with the way she plays the game. hmmm.... however it's very difficult to get start up funds for independant films, so in another sense we may need her. I'm bringing in other "power players" into the negotiations in order to balance out the upcoming talks.....
the astro view next week looks good, but mixed in with a bit rocky as well...wonder if I should try to schedule this when the moon is in Cap?
your wise counsel always appreciated, and apologies for the backwards order here of emails!
Posted by: suz-d | May 05, 2007 at 12:27 PM
Hi suz-d - Yes, denizens of the film world are often power players of a certain type. Yes on the scheduling, since the favorable aspects to Uranus are excellent. The Sun upper square Saturn is the culmination of old power cycles, and can show shifts in hard realities, which of course funding films is most definitely a hard reality. Just be clear and definite about what works and what doesn't, and remember that things will take off after the Mars square Pluto. Overall this should mark a fairly positive time, despite the afflictions to Pluto, Neptune, and Saturn, which to me show a breaking out of the foggy stalemate of Saturn opposition Neptune.
Posted by: Robert | May 05, 2007 at 03:12 PM
Oh-Ah!Robert,there is no boundary for perfection-your forecasts sometimes go beyond any existing styles/genres/shpes/forms! There is one more (Russian) astrologer ,(whom I got to know from the Internet too:),though a bit different from you,but who is able to reach great depth/width/height thanks to the wholostic perception of the world,both inner and outer,which results from constant and efficient spiritual and intellectual work on growing your own Self for the sake of serving the others . It,s great that Astrology can provide humankind with the people
like you,who help human beings feel that they are
bridges between the Heavens and the Earth. And that the main Sciense in the world is Con-Science,which presupposes being sincere with your own I etc
Best wishes in these great times!!!
Posted by: Svetlana | May 06, 2007 at 04:45 AM
Hi Robert. Thanks again for your always excellent insights. My wife and I are leaving on a road trip this Wednesday afternoon. We are driving to attend my daughter's graduation from med school. What an accomplishment! She will be getting her M.D. degree this Friday, May 11th. I believe the commencement is 7pm CDT. It is at the University of Iowa at Iowa City. I have learned to not be afraid of squares. As you say they often show a turning of the corner. I think in her case the mutable T-square shows that she is ending a very significant stage of her life as she has been in pre-med and then med school for the past 6-7 years. Now she will be starting her internship/residency this June in Hanover, New Hampshire. She is specializing in pediatrics. The hospital there is associated with Dartmouth University. They are progressive, open to Reiki, alternative modalities, etc. So I am very happy and proud of her.Your overall forecast for May-June continues to sound very favorable, so I am confident that things will go very well for her. She has Sun at 21 Virgo and Pluto at 29 Virgo. The seperating Jupiter square Uranus will be making a T-Square with her Sun, while the forming Mars square Pluto will be making a T-Square with her natal Pluto. The moon will be in Pisces, so again mutable forces are at play. Major changes indeed. I have never been to New England, but sounds like travel is in the forecast, huh? I sure like the politics of those New Hampshire/Vermont folks. Live Free or Die. Yes!
dcu
Posted by: dcu | May 06, 2007 at 11:11 PM
PS- I just noticed that she has Mercury at 3 Virgo and Venus at 26 Virgo, so four planets in Virgo.
dcu
Posted by: dcu | May 06, 2007 at 11:30 PM
Hi Svetlana - Well, I was always told how I said what I said was one of a kind! ;-) I agree that the best astrologers do have a holistic perception and approach, since we are integral beings, and our own experience makes us better astrologers. "Con-science" = "to be with - science," aka "the science of togetherness" is an interesting association which I'll ponder. And of course, thanks for the wishes. My life is accelerating beyond anything I could ever imagine, and it promises to be a wild ride!
Hi dcu - Congratulations on Miz A becoming a dactah. Yes, the squares are showing a shift in direction, with the impending Fixed squares anchoring a new direction for many, myself included. Going to NH from Iowa may be a bit of a culture shock, though the weather should be no colder and the landscape much more beautiful. I've heard that New England is a wonderful place if you don't mind the cold.
Jupiter is waxing square, showing good things emerging, and the mutable square to her Pluto shows that a)this is a turning point in her "escaping from a narrow destiny" and b)it's a whole new standard of measurement as she weaves her song in a gift to her society. And of course, pediatricians are heroes, every one.
Posted by: Robert | May 07, 2007 at 07:12 AM
Hello Robert, I know its a bit late, but have had internet connection problems since I moved to my new house a while back. I'm not sure if you remember, but I wrote to you in february about things I was working through - such as needing a new home, a fresh outlook on my challenging relationship with the father of my yet-to-be-born baby girl...
So now all is well! She was born as the moon passed over my Cap 24 Vertex on May 8 (15.55 in Adelaide South Australia)- a quick and easy birth (I had expected to see mercury in the 12 th house of her chart but the trickster is in her 8th!) She was literally 'laughed' into the world putting an end to a healthy but tearful pregnancy. She came only a week after my own solar return (with Saturn conjunct ASC!)..
so I'm not sure how the astro-weather for the week bodes for her lifetime here on earth - mars sq pluto her father and I share(our Sag Mars are conjunct as are our Virgo Plutos), and Sun-Saturn we also both understand well.. but all that Jupiter, Neptune-Saturn and Uranus?
At worst will she have a weird life? Eccentric? Angry, adventurous and Strange??
If I can help her to be the best she can be I will!
gratitude, danae
Posted by: danae | May 24, 2007 at 03:32 AM
Hi danae - Welcome back, and so glad to hear all is well in the baby department. Congrats! I'm SURE she's indicated in your solar return chart. She'll figure out her response to all those aspects as she grows. Don't worry too much about frictional aspects, since yours truly has one of the most "afflicted" charts I've ever seen, and while I've had some tragic circumstances in my life, I've also led a blessed existence and actually broke free of some unfortunate natal tendencies that I may have had in past lives, but likely won't in future ones as a result of dealing with personal challenges. We grow through challenges more than through comfort, so I will affirm the fact that your child will become a fully realized Being as a result of rising to the best manifestation of the present aspects. It may happen through some of the traits you mention, as well as a host of others far more productive and wonderful. And I'll bet you will play a very positive role in her life. Aum and blessings to you, mom.
Posted by: Robert | May 24, 2007 at 08:13 AM